76ers regain control against Heat, go up 2-1 in series

It was a close game for three and a half quarters and then Philly pulled away.

Updated Apr 20, 2018, 1:58 AM UTC

NBA: Playoffs-Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The final score in Game 3 of Sixers-Heat was 128-108 with Philly taking home the win. If you only looked at the score, you’d think this game was a blowout but it was anything. Teams traded baskets for the entirety of the game in one of the most exciting back and forth games yet in these 2018 playoffs. It wasn’t until a late stretch in the fourth quarter that Philly really pulled away with this.

In Joel Embiid’s NBA Playoffs debut he scored 23 points while grabbing seven rebounds. There were concerns of rust for Embiid after missing nearly a month of playing time but for the most part he fit back into Philly’s rotation quite well. Dario Saric was the Sixers’ x-factor scoring 21 points and hitting four three-pointers.

For Miami, Justise Winslow had the game of his career with a 19-point and 10-rebound double-double. Goran Dragic scored 23 points of his own. But none of it was enough to stop this red hot Sixers team who just got their anchor back.

Sixers 128, Heat 108 - Final

This one got away from the Heat after what was largely a great game. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and company were just too much for Miami to handle. The series stays in Miami for one more game before heading back to Philly.

Sixers 117, Heat 105 - 4:11 4Q

The Sixers are pulling away with this one but this drive and kick by Goran Dragic was incredible.

Sixers 105, Heat 95 - 8:32 4Q

The Heat just went -13 with Dragic out. He’s checking back in now before this gets out of hand.

Sixers 96, Heat 94 - End of 3Q

THIS GAME IS SO GOOD. Both teams are coached so well and playing beautiful yet tough basketball. This is playoff basketball at its best.

Heat 78, Sixers 78 - 6:05 3Q

Miami is hanging with Philly, going bucket for bucket here in the 3rd quarter. Embiid is up to 16 points after hitting another three-pointer.

Heat 69, Sixers 66 - 10:56 3Q

Five straight points for Goran Dragic to start the 3rd quarter!

Heat 64, Sixers 63 - Halftime

Joel Embiid has 11 points at halftime in his NBA playoff debut. The masks has troubled him a little a times but he is clearly figuring out how to play with it. He did hit a three-pointer late in the second quarter and quickly shh’d the crowd.

Winslow still leads the way for Miami with 19 points. This series has gotten exciting and chippy to say the least. The second half should be really interesting.

Sixers 57, Heat 55 - 3:23 2Q

It feels like Miami is playing this game as well as they can and yet they’re still down to Philly. It helps for the Sixers that Dario Saric is heating up. He’s got nine points and just hit back-to-back buckets. A floater through the lane and a quick trigger three-pointer in transition.

Heat 46, Sixers 43 - 6:55 2Q

Miami is on an 8-0 run to take the lead! Winslow has been a huge factor with 15 points while Goran Dragic has 12.

Sixers 37, Heat 33 - 10:26 2Q

We haven’t had any points scored in the second quarter but we DO HAVE SOME SCRAPPING. Double technical fouls were handed out to Justin Anderson and Dwyane Wade.

Sixers 37, Heat 33 - End of 1Q

The Sixers get their three-point shots up so quickly and built up an 11-point lead but Miami stormed back thanks to Justise Winslow scoring 10 of Miami’s final 12 points in the quarter.

The Heat will have to do something to try and slow Philly down, though. They already have five three-pointers in the first quarter.

Sixers 17, Heat 16 - 5:18 1Q

Let’s check in on Miami:

Sixers 10, Heat 9 - 7:42 1Q

Tyler Johnson came out for the Heat and hit two three-pointers but the Sixers have bounced back taking a small lead into the first timeout. Embiid started the game and already has four points.

Pregame:

Joel Embiid is back! He’ll make his first ever appearance in the playoffs in Game 3 and he will debut a brand new face mask we have never seen before in the NBA.

The Miami Heat made a series of their first-round matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers thanks to their win Monday on the road, and now return home looking to take advantage in Game 3 on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena in Miami (7 p.m. ET, TNT).

Dwyane Wade turned back the clock with 28 points off the bench on 11-of-16 shooting, including 13 points in a decisive second quarter that saw Miami outscore Philadelphia by 21 points.

“It’s just in my DNA,” Wade told the Associated Press on Monday. “I love the stage.”

The 76ers find themselves in a spot they haven’t experienced in five weeks, finding out what to do after a loss. They responded to their previous last loss with 17 straight wins, including 16 to close out the regular season and nab the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Ben Simmons is nearly averaging a triple-double through the first two games with 20.5 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, all on 50 percent shooting.

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid has been cleared to play Thursday night, after missing the first two games of the season. He’s still recovering from an orbital bone fracture in his left eye and, counting the regular season, has missed the last 10 games. Embiid will be wearing a mask in Game 3.